History of East Yorkshire

Yorkshire, particularly East Yorkshire on the coast, has a rich history and culture.

Prehistoric Yorkshire

In the year of 7,000 BC Yorkshire would look very different to how it does today. In those days it was completely forested. At that time the first people arrived. They were Stone Age hunters and gatherers. They killed the abundant wildlife in Yorkshire such as deer and boar. Then in 3,000 BC Stone Age farmers arrived. They began the lengthy process of cutting down the forests to make way for farming. In about 1800 BC they were followed by farmers who made bronze tools and weapons.

Yorkshire in the Middle Ages

Following the Norman Conquest, Harald Hardrada, the king of Norway, invaded England. His army went along the Humber and the Ouse. But after they landed they were completely beaten by the English at the battle of Stamford Bridge.

Not long afterwards William Duke of Normandy won the battle of Hastings and was made king of England.

In 1086 the Yorkshire people rose in rebellion. William marched to York and built a fort there. However when he left the area in 1069 the North rose in rebellion again. This time William took drastic action by burning all the stores of food and the crops in the fields. They also killed domestic animals and destroyed farm tools. This 'scorched earth' policy was called the Harrying of the North. The result of this was that many people in Yorkshire starved to death.